PLAGUED with hot flushes and sleepless nights, Carol White's life had become a misery.

By mid-afternoon she would be exhausted and irritable. But like many women going through the menopause, Carol was wary about traditional treatment.

Concerned about possible side effects from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), she sought help elsewhere.

Now 52, Carol has found her symptoms cured through acupuncture sessions and herbal tablets prescribed by the Chinese Medicine Centre in Southampton.

She is among dozens of women who have successfully sought help for menopausal problems from husband and wife team John and Qing Zhang.

"I had three or four years of hot flushes, sweating and not sleeping well," said Carol.

"I also got really bad itchy legs. Two or three of my friends had tried HRT but I felt coming here would get to the root of the problem."

Carol, who works as a receptionist, was recommended to try acupuncture by a friend.

"Initially, I came along every week," said Carol, of Woolston, Southampton.

"By the second or third treatment, I was starting to feel better. All my symptoms had improved.

"After the fifth treatment, the hot flushes and sweating had gone, and I was sleeping much better. I took the tablets morning and night and they helped take the heat away."

Carol, a former teacher, added: "I had not had acupuncture before but have never had any problem with needles.

"I find it very relaxing. The doctor is always so calm and reassuring, and I am really pleased with the results."

Carol still returns to the clinic every three to four weeks for a top-up session to stabilise her condition.

John and Qing used a combination of acupuncture therapy and Chinese herbal tablets to strengthen Carol's kidney and balance her hormones.

Qing, who has been practising for 24 years, said: "In the west, HRT is commonly used for menopause, yet some women experience side effects such as nausea and weight gain.

"But in China, millions of women rely on Chinese medicine to cope with the problem.

"When treating menopausal symptoms, Chinese medicine naturally strengthens the kidney to balance the yin and yang of the body.

"Generally, for mild cases, acupuncture and herbal tablets are sufficient to treat the problem. For severe cases, dry herbs will be used to alleviate the symptoms and address the root cause.

"We have treated many menopausal cases with very satisfactory results."

Patients at the Chinese Medicine Centre, a former rest home in Hill Lane, are asked a range of questions about their symptoms to help the Zhangs build up a full picture of the problem.

The doctors then examine the client's tongue - the colour of which helps their diagnosis - as well as taking their pulse. More in-depth questions then follow before the best treatment is decided upon.

Generally speaking, Chinese medicine works to treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Qing said the couple's patients came from across Hampshire, Wiltshire and further afield, with many being recommended to the clinic by friends.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ACUPUNCTURE works through stimulating the body's healing responses or immune system.

Acupuncture points lie on meridians and are stimulated by the insertion of thin, fine needles at various points.

The therapy works by activating the energy flow and balance of the body.

It can be effective in alleviating pains including neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, neuralgia and muscle paralysis.

At the Chinese Medicine Centre in Southampton, practitioners use only disposable needles.

For more information, contact the Chinese Medicine Centre on 023 8022 2214.